WawonaNews.com - January 2014

Record of Decision available for Mariposa Grove Plan

December 19, 2013 The National Park Service (NPS) at Yosemite National Park is pleased to announce that the Record of Decision for the Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Final Environmental Impact Statement (Mariposa Grove Final EIS) was approved by the Regional Director on December 10, 2013. The Record of Decision (ROD) formally selects Alternative 2, South Entrance Hub for implementation. Alternative 2 was identified as the park’s Preferred Alternative in the October 2013 Mariposa Grove Final EIS. The Selected Action in the Record of Decision is substantially the same as described for Alternative 2 in the Final EIS. The NPS plans to initiate groundbreaking for smaller in-house elements of the Mariposa Grove project in June 2014. The larger components of the project, such as construction of the South Entrance parking hub and removal of the parking/ecological restoration in the lower Grove area require additional site design, contracting, and permit approval before work begins on the ground. The NPS expects this preliminary work for the larger elements to be complete in early 2015. The Record of Decision for the Mariposa Grove Final EIS is posted on the Yosemite National Park website. You may request print copies of the Record of Decision by email at yose_planning@nps.gov; by phone (209) 379-1002; or mail at Yosemite NP, Attn: Mariposa Grove, PO Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389.

Missing Hiker Found

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK (CBS13/AP) -A missing hiker was found Monday morning in Yosemite National Park, a day and a half after she disappeared. Ann Lory, 60, was found at 11:30 a.m. by family members working with search and rescue. She was transported to a local hospital to treatment of her injuries. Yosemite National Park rangers were searching her after she left her home inside the park for a hike. Park officials say Lory left her residence in the small community of Foresta on Saturday. Foresta is located near the park’s western boundary. Park officials say about 70 people were involved in the effort, which includes dog teams. The park also received assistance from six counties and the California Highway Patrol.